India called for a fair, inclusive and people-focused approach to global climate action during the Third Annual High-Level Ministerial Roundtable on Just Transition at UNFCCC CoP30 in Belem, Brazil.
Addressing delegates on Thursday, Union Environment Minister Bhupender underscored that a truly just transition must extend far beyond the energy sector, describing it as an “economy-wide, all-inclusive, people-centred transformation” that respects national circumstances and upholds the principles of equity and social justice.
The Minister emphasised that every country must retain the flexibility to pursue its own sustainable development pathways consistent with national priorities. Highlighting the varied starting points and development needs across nations, he said the transition cannot follow a uniform template and must instead be nationally determined and demand-driven. He noted that strengthening resilience, ensuring food security, creating employment, protecting livelihoods, and eradicating poverty are integral components of a just transition.
Yadav expressed concern over the rise of unilateral trade-restrictive climate measures, warning that such actions undermine equity and justice and hinder efforts toward a fair global transition. He called for stronger multilateral cooperation and accessible, affordable means of implementation—including finance, technology, and capacity building—for developing countries.
India, the Minister said, firmly supports the establishment of a Just Transition Mechanism under the UAE Just Transition Work Programme. He noted that this mechanism is essential for closing existing gaps and enabling practical solutions aligned with national circumstances, particularly for countries of the Global South. Ensuring adequate access to resources, he added, is vital to making sure no one is left behind in the global transition process.
The Environment Minister expressed India’s expectation of an ambitious outcome at CoP30, emphasising the need to operationalise the principles of equity and Common but Differentiated Responsibilities and Respective Capabilities (CBDR-RC). He said the creation of the proposed mechanism would mark a significant step in advancing a just and equitable global transition framework.